But Eleanor Hollis was very angry; when she saw him turn his head to look over, she deliberately averted her gaze.
Bridget Sutton began clearing away the dishes, feeling she should leave so ti for the two young people, so she made an excuse that she had to go play cards with others and soon left.
In the blink of an eye, only Eleanor Hollis and Hugo Quinn were left in the room.
Hugo’s eyes were bloodshot; he reached out to hold Eleanor, his voice hoarse.
"Go ahead, did you misunderstand ? I can explain, but next ti don’t run off like that."
Knowing she took a midnight cab alone into the countryside, he had been scared to the point of sweating cold. Luckily, it ended up being alright.
Eleanor’s face reddened slightly, and she pushed his hand away a bit.
"Last night, when I called you, a woman answered. Was she the woman you went on a date with? She said you were in the shower, so I..."
Hugo furrowed his brow, realizing that she knew about his date.
"Eleanor."
He turned her shoulders towards him, seriously staring at her eyes and brows.
"The old man is about to be discharged; it was his idea to go on the date, and he said that if I agreed to et those girls, he would overlook you pushing him. I know you didn’t an to push the old man, but that’s what outsiders think now. If the old man continues to make things difficult for you, you won’t be able to cope. That’s why I agreed. I’m sorry, I assud you were feeling wronged, so I didn’t tell you."
The awkwardness in Eleanor’s heart gradually subsided; whatever the reason, it was still because of her that he went.
"But she said you were in the shower..."
The phrase was indeed ambiguous and prone to misunderstanding.
Hugo’s breath chilled; he hadn’t expected that woman to answer his phone without permission.
"After answering your call, I was rushing to see you, but a server accidentally spilled coffee on my pants. I went to the shop’s spare lounge to shower, waiting for Lan Yancy to bring a new suit over. I didn’t expect that woman to answer my phone; I’m sorry, I was careless."
So that’s how it was.
Eleanor furrowed her brows; when she heard that woman’s words at the ti, she had no ti to think of anything else. Anger and sadness had already occupied her mind, which is why she ran back to the countryside.
Hugo knew nothing yet still followed her here.
Seeing bloodshot eyes, she felt guilty.
"Go rest first."
Hugo leaned his head on her shoulder, squinting slightly as he spoke.
"I want to sleep in your bed. To chase after you, I haven’t slept a wink all night."
How could Eleanor refuse? She imdiately led him to her room.
It was Hugo’s first ti in the countryside after growing up; he discovered pictures of Eleanor’s childhood on the mahogany table, looking soft and cute.
Certificates and awards plastered the wall beside, indicating her excellence as a student.
He estimated not graduating from university was probably her greatest regret in life.
Her bed carried a hint of fragrance; a daughter’s bed often was decorated with dolls, and light-colored mosquito nets hung high.
Eleanor felt a bit embarrassed, for many items in this room were arranged by her grandmother, who assud a girl like her would adore them, often sending them whenever she saw sothing cute.
"You accompany to sleep for a while."
Hugo tugged Eleanor over, embracing her, eyes filled with attachnt.
Eleanor didn’t move, thinking of his bloodshot eyes; she only felt guilt.
"Sleep, I’ll stay here with you."
Hugo nodded, a hint of satisfaction on his face.
"Next ti, don’t leave without a word; at least give a chance to explain. If anything happened while you were in the countryside this ti, I’d regret it for life. Eleanor, you’re not a child anymore; think of the consequences before you act."
Hugo’s voice was gentle and firm, and Eleanor knew he was worried about her.
"I’m sorry, I realize my mistake."
She nestled in his arms without defending herself.
Hugo smiled, rubbing her head.
"I’ll sleep for a bit; I’m exhausted."
After that, neither spoke; Eleanor heard the steady sound of breathing beside her and hurriedly looked up at him.
It was just one night without sleep, and he already had large dark circles, probably busy with the matters regarding the dates lately.
She sighed, unable to comprehend why it was so difficult for two people who wanted to be together.
"Eleanor."
Hugo suddenly muttered, slowly tightening his embrace on her.
Eleanor dared not make a sound; was he dreaming? In the dream, was he dreaming of her?
Thinking of this, sweetness filled her heart, further intensifying her remorse for wrongly blaming him.
Hugo slept until the afternoon.
Bridget Sutton had specially slaughtered a duck she raised and gathered a few eggs from the chicken coop, saying the nutritional value of local eggs was higher than ones in the city.
Eleanor couldn’t stop it, feeling sowhat sour; her grandmother treated Hugo too well.
"Luna, I have a good eye; Hugo drove all night to co for you. I see he truly cares for you. You, don’t act spoiled like a child. If there’s anything wrong, speak out, and everyone will make it clear."
Eleanor was slicing tomatoes, her lips curling into a smile.
"I know, it’s all clarified now; I wrongly blad him."
Bridget Sutton was even happier, plucking the duck feathers clean, then seasoning with her homade spices, putting it into the pot to steam.
"Grandma, when did you learn to steam duck?"
Eleanor was surprised by the elder’s thods, for previously, her grandmother only cooked traditional dishes, being best at braised pork.
Bridget Sutton looked embarrassed.
"Didn’t you send so people to the countryside to care for ? They bought so cookbooks, and apart from playing cards, we study these recipes every day."
"Then in the future, I’ll be blessed with delicious food."
Eleanor observed how well her grandmother was living in the countryside, feeling relieved and becoming even more grateful to Hugo.
At this mont, Hugo was washing up; having been stuck in the car all night, his body didn’t sll pleasant, so he got up to shower and wash his hair.
Bridget Sutton found him a few Mao suits to wear; they were worn by her late husband when he went out lecturing.
Dinner was ready by six in the evening, and the three of them sat in the small courtyard, where the freshly stead duck exuded a tempting aroma.
"Luna, co, eat more."
Bridget Sutton picked a piece of braised pork for Eleanor, knowing that once the misunderstanding between the two was resolved, they would definitely return to Serenford soon.
"Grandma, don’t worry, I will take good care of Eleanor. When the New Year cos, we’ll also co to the countryside to see you and spend the holiday together."
Hugo noticed her reluctance toward Eleanor and hurriedly spoke up.
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